Palpable fear gripped the residents of Otukpo, a popular town in Benue state when suspected rival cult groups in the area clashed on Sunday, leaving eight people dead.
It was learnt that the cult groups early hours of Sunday while some were going to their place of worship, the cult groups took over the ancient town and unleashed terror.
No fewer than eight people were mauled down at different places within the town.
It was gathered that two of the victims were killed at a popular drug (marijuana) joint known as Banana Island while another victim who owns a barbing shop at Akpa Street was shot outside his shop.
It was gathered that one other person was killed along Uloko lane, while the other four were killed at several locations as the killers went about their killing spree.
Chairman of the Local Government Council, Mr George Alli said, ‘we have confirmed the death of six persons this afternoon. I’m still expecting a clearer picture about this because we are going to come with a special squad to go after them.’
The chairman said that the killers immediately went into hiding after the dastardly acts but declined to comment further on it.
However, the state police commissioner, Mr Fatai Owoseni and the command spokesman, ASP Moses Yamu could not be reached for confirmation as as calls put to their mobile phones were neither picked nor returned.
